Ida Rhoads Sears

The Photo Album of My Great Grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 27)

The Photo Album of My Great Grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 27)

This is the gem of my family history archives. It is the photo album of my great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002). I wanted you to see the album as it is, every well loved tattered page of it. You can also view the gallery for individual images and notes.

My 3rd Great Grandfather Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 25)

My 3rd Great Grandfather Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 25)

My 3rd great grandfather was Rhinard Rhoads (1833-1920) of Dunlo, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. This photo of him was taken in the later years of his life. Rhinard and I share a birthday, 143 years apart. Here are some more photos of him.

The Leaning Tree - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 23)

The Leaning Tree - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 23)

It is impossible to overstate the multigenerational prominence The Leaning Tree Lodge has in the collective memory of my extended family. Affectionately known as “The Cabin”, it sits on the Au Sable River, east of Grayling, Michigan and has been connected to our family since the 1960s.

,

The Tragic Motorcycle Death of Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940)

,
The Tragic Motorcycle Death of Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940)

My 1st cousin 2x removed, Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940), died after the motorcycle he was driving struck a car in Mt. Morris, Michigan on June 15th, 1940. This is his story.

Arthur Sears (1900-1964), The Blackhawk Restaurant, and The Spinning Salad Bowl (Chicago, 1950s)

Arthur Sears (1900-1964), The Blackhawk Restaurant, and The Spinning Salad Bowl (Chicago, 1950s)

Learning about where your family ate, drank, smoked, or celebrated can be as meaningful as knowing where they married, prayed, or were buried. My great grandfather, Arthur Bryan Myers Sears (1900-1965) dined at The Blackhawk Restaurant in Chicago, IL one 1950s evening with his colleagues. He likely had The Spinning Salad Bowl.

Pic of the Week (#142) - Unknown Woman From Peru, Indiana

Pic of the Week (#142) - Unknown Woman From Peru, Indiana

This photograph is of an unidentified woman in my personal family collection. It was in the photo album of my great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002). Can you help me find and tell her story?

The Power of Professional Photo Colorization to Make Your Relatives Real: The Rhoads Sisters

The Power of Professional Photo Colorization to Make Your Relatives Real: The Rhoads Sisters

A talented photograph colorization artist has the power to make your ancestors stories come to life. Here is an example from my own family history: The Rhoads Sisters.

Pic of the Week (#131) - Ida's Patriotic Summer Celebration

Pic of the Week (#131) - Ida's Patriotic Summer Celebration

Always fun-loving and jovial, this photo really captures the spirit of my great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002). She is own the far right wearing the American flag hat. This is part of her story.

,

Little Leo Campbell (1918-1923)

,
Little Leo Campbell (1918-1923)

This is the story of Little Leo Campbell (1918-1923), my 1st cousin 2x removed.

,

Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

,
Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979) was one of my paternal great grandmothers. She is also the subject of this 49th installment of my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks family history blogging challenge. I hope you enjoy this photo essay about her life.

,

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#100) - Battle Creek Woman Reaches Century Mark

,
The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#100) - Battle Creek Woman Reaches Century Mark

If born just a few weeks earlier than her February 17, 1900 birthday, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) would have achieved the rare distinction of having lived in three different centuries! This is her story.

,

The Contemplative Beard of David Costlow (1853-1924)

,
The Contemplative Beard of David Costlow (1853-1924)

The beard of David Costlow (1853-1924) is a soft and greying cloud in active weather. David’s calm eyes rest contemplatively above a yard that teeters tenuously between kempt and neglect.

,

The Last Will and Testament of Christopher Adkins (1825-1887), My 4th Great Grandfather

,
The Last Will and Testament of Christopher Adkins (1825-1887), My 4th Great Grandfather

“I Christopher Adkins, of Epsom, in the County of Daviess, and State of Indiana, merchant, being of sound and disposing mind and memory …” - I believe this to be the last will and testament of my 4th great grandfather, Christopher Adkins (1825-1887).

,

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#90) - The Rhoads Men of Cambria County, PA

,
The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#90) - The Rhoads Men of Cambria County, PA

From my personal collection, this photograph shows several of the Cambria County, PA Rhoads men in my family tree. Here are their stories.

,

Rebecca Rhoads Seese (1859-1940)

,
Rebecca Rhoads Seese (1859-1940)

This is the story of my 3rd great aunt, Rebecca Rhoads Seese (1859-1940).

,

Peter Christopher Costlow (1846-1905) and His Wife Matilda Topper Costlow (1850-1935)

,
Peter Christopher Costlow (1846-1905) and His Wife Matilda Topper Costlow (1850-1935)

I am confident, though not certain, that this is my 3rd great uncle Peter Christopher Costlow (1846-1905) and his wife, Matilda. Here is his story and the questions that remain.

My 3rd Great Grandfather and "Prominent and Representative" Citizen of Cambria County, PA, James Costlow (1822-1904)

My 3rd Great Grandfather and "Prominent and Representative" Citizen of Cambria County, PA, James Costlow (1822-1904)

James Costlow (1822-1904) is one of the more prominent figures in my family tree. In fact, he was written about in in the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. This is his story.

Mystery 16 Month Marriage of Porter Dean Sears (1906-1935) Ends in Divorce Due to "Repeated and Extreme Cruelty"

Mystery 16 Month Marriage of Porter Dean Sears (1906-1935) Ends in Divorce Due to "Repeated and Extreme Cruelty"

Porter Dean Sears (1906-1935), my 2nd great uncle, married Elnora Florence Cannon on July 9th, 1928. Sixteen months later they were divorced. “Repeated and Extreme Cruelty” was the reason cited (by Porter). This is his story.

,

A Boy Without a Dad and the Family He Made: Arthur Bryan Myers Sears (1900-1964)

,
A Boy Without a Dad and the Family He Made: Arthur Bryan Myers Sears (1900-1964)

This is my great grandfather, Arthur Bryan Sears (1900-1964), probably around age one. As far as I can tell he was fatherless for his first several years. This is his story.

,

The Vallance Babies of Johnstown, PA

,
The Vallance Babies of Johnstown, PA

George and Laverne Rhoads Vallance (1899-1962) had four stillborn babies (one set of twins) between 1922 and 1924 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. These were their only children. Here are their stories.